Houses Are Still Selling Fast

Houses Are Still Selling Fast

Have you been thinking about selling your house? If so, here’s some good news. While the housing market isn't as frenzied as it was during the ‘unicorn’ years when houses were selling quicker than ever, they’re still selling faster than normal.

The graph below uses data from Realtor.com to tell the story of median days on the market for every January from 2017 all the way through the latest numbers available. For Realtor.com, days on the market means from the time a house is listed for sale until its closing date or the date it’s taken off the market. This metric can help give you an idea of just how quickly homes are selling compared to more normal years:

 Bar chart shows January median days on market falling from 88 in 2017 to 69 in 2024, with a low of 59 in 2022.

 

When you look at the most recent data (shown in green), it's clear homes are selling faster than they usually would (shown in blue). In fact, the only years when houses sold even faster than they are right now were the abnormal ‘unicorn’ years (shown in pink). According to Realtor.com:

“Homes spent 69 days on the market, which is three days shorter than last year and more than two weeks shorter than before the COVID-19 pandemic.”

What Does This Mean for You?

Homes are selling faster than the norm for this time of year – and your house may sell quickly too. That’s because more people are looking to buy now that mortgage rates have come down, but there still aren’t enough homes to go around. Mike Simonsen, Founder of Altos Research, says:

“. . . 2024 is starting stronger than last year. And demand is increasing each week.”

Bottom Line

If you’re wondering if it’s a good time to sell your home, the most recent data suggests it is. The housing market appears to be stronger than it usually is at this time of year. To get the latest updates on what’s happening in our local market, let’s connect.

Recent Blog Posts

Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.

San Francisco skyline at sunset, with the Bay Bridge and Transamerica Pyramid.
San Francisco Market Update - Sept. 2026

August delivered a familiar pattern for San Francisco's single-family market: strong annual growth paired with a seasonal retreat from the spring peak.

East Bay Market Update over a panoramic view of homes on a wooded hillside.
East Bay Market Update - Sept. 2026

August delivered a steady, if unspectacular, close to the East Bay's summer selling season on the single-family side.

San Francisco skyline at sunset, with the Bay Bridge and Transamerica Pyramid.
San Francisco Market Update - August 2026

Single-family home prices remain nearly 25% above year-ago levels at $2,050,000, even after easing modestly from June's peak.

East Bay Market Update over a panoramic view of homes on a wooded hillside.
East Bay Market Update - August 2026

The most striking story in the East Bay right now is how little is available for sale.

San Francisco skyline at sunset, with the Bay Bridge and Transamerica Pyramid.
San Francisco Market Update - July 2026

Single-family home prices have surged more than 26% year-over-year, marking the strongest annual gain we've seen this year.

East Bay Market Update over a panoramic view of homes on a wooded hillside.
East Bay Market Update - July 2026

Prices are rising across the board, with the condo market posting its strongest year-over-year gains in years.

Miniature house beside a calculator as someone works through housing figures.

Education

Is Title Insurance Worth the Cost?

In many cases, the insurance proceeds received from a covered claim far exceeds the cost of the one-time premium paid for an owner’s policy of title insurance.

Smiling man in a light plaid blazer over a black shirt.
Elevation Real Estate Welcomes David Hiller to Our Team!

David's East Bay experience, creativity, and dedication to his clients made him a perfect fit for Elevation Real Estate

San Francisco skyline at sunset, with the Bay Bridge and Transamerica Pyramid.
San Francisco Market Update - June 2026

San Francisco's single-family home market continues to reach new heights, with the median sale price climbing 22.56% year-over-year to $2,200,000. This marks one of th… Read more

Let’s Talk

You’ve got questions and we can’t wait to answer them.